Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544339
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 10 APRIL 2026 NEWS CONTINES FROM PAGE 1 Announcing the programme, Minister for Gozo and Plan- ning Clint Camilleri said the initiative is intended to show- case the island's attractions during one of its most pop- ular periods, while reinforc- ing Gozo's position as a year round destination rather than a seasonal one. This year's programme builds on previous editions and in- cludes a mix of music, theatre and opera, alongside commu- nity events, fireworks displays and family oriented activities. Key highlights include Rock- Astra, Leone Goes Jubilee, Sqaqien, Resurrexit, Lux Tene- brae, the Nadur Fireworks Fes- tival, food and chocolate festi- vals, Qalb il-Frawli, Science in the Citadel, wine themed events such as Est Est Est and Bis-Saħħa, and the Gozo Inter- national Infiorata. The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural tourism and encour- age visitors to explore villages, local cuisine and artistic talent across the island during the spring months. Wide range of cultural, religious and community activities announced Gozo Tourism Association calls for urgent action following collapse of historic Qbajjar Battery THE Gozo Tourism Association is calling for an urgent structural assessment to determine the ex- tent of the collapse at the Qbajjar battery Żebbuġ, In a statement, the association said the structural assessment should be followed by stabilisa- tion works to prevent further de- terioration. "The swift finalisation of the guardianship agreement with Din l-Art Ħelwa is now more pressing than ever," they said. "We owe it to future generations to ensure that the Qbajjar Battery is not lost." The association said the incident is a stark reminder of the vulnera- bility of historic sites when subject to neglect and deterioration. The Qolla l-Bajda battery was built by the Knights of St John in the early 18th-century. It remains one of only two surviving batter- ies in Gozo. The site is a Grade 1 landmark, a status signifying a building of exceptional national interest requiring the highest level of protection. The association described the battery as an irreplaceable ele- ment of Gozo's heritage, pressing that every delay on its mainte- nance increases the risk of further, potentially irreversible damage. The government promised twice, in 2007 and again in 2021, that the site would be given to DLĦ through a guardianship agreement. In April 2023, Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ) said that despite the gov- ernment's pledge to transfer the property to the NGO, delays in the process were so prolonged that urgent restoration works risked coming too late, by which time the building could be de- stroyed. In January 2025, the Lands Au- thority and Heritage Malta stated they would undertake emergen- cy restoration and conservation to "eliminate danger" within the structure. This promise was also part of the Labour Party's 2022 manifesto. No such works have begun yet, while the battery has been left in an ever-increasing state of aban- donment. The structure is a Grade 1 historical landmark built by the Knights of St John in the early 18th-century (Photo: Luke Said) PN candidate calls for temporary shelter at Gozo terminal, criticises delays NATIONALIST Party candi- date Beppe Galea has called for the introduction of a tem- porary shelter at the Gozo ter- minal, criticising what he said were ongoing delays and lack of action by authorities. Taking to Facebook, Galea said he has been repeatedly calling for "dignity and re- spect" over recent months, arguing that the current situ- ation is falling short for both Gozitan residents and visitors. He said his priority remains Gozo and its resi- dents, and in- sisted that a t e m p o r a r y s o l u t i o n is need- ed until a proper terminal is developed. Galea also criticised the approach taken by authorities, say- ing decisions are impacting not only locals but also tour- ists who expect a certain level of service, quali- ty and dignity when visiting Malta. He called on Transport Min- ister Chris Bonett, Gozo Min- ister Clint Camilleri, Infra- structure Malta and Transport Malta to address the issue, warning that delays in taking necessary decisions are result- ing in damage to both Gozo and the country. The Mgarr Harbour (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday). Inset. Nationalist Party Candidate Beppe Galea